Poor Man’s Paella
This is not actually a paella, but rather a quick one-pan rice, veg and prawn dinner - with a lot of the same components. So I simply refer to it as Poor Man’s Paella!
There’s nothing wrong with making a proper paella!
By all means, make a delicious, authentic paella - there are so many variations and they are all gorgeous. I’ll probably do my own version on the blog at some point! But this was such a great one to just chuck together with some ingredients I had - this is made up of a lot of things many of us have in the freezer and cupboard, so I hope you try it and enjoy it too!
Poor Man’s Paella
For 2 people
Time: Prep 5 mins | Cooking 15-20 mins
1-2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 diced onion
3/4 cup brown rice
1/2-1 cup of chicken stock (stock cube dissolved in water or homemade stock)
Small pack of prawns (about 250g), these can be frozen!
1/2 cup frozen peas
A handful of sugar snap peas
1 large carrot
1 small/medium courgette (zucchini)
1 lemon for juice and zest
Spices: pepper, cumin, paprika, some fresh parsley (add or remove whatever you want)
Note: these vegetables, and indeed also the prawns, are just suggestions. You can just add whatever you have that you need to use!
Instructions
Cook the brown rice according to instructions. (I cook mine in the Instant Pot at 17 minutes with a slow release and it’s just perfect every time!) Already here you can see it’s not an authentic paella, I’m cooking the rice, not frying it, and it’s not paella rice. If you have that, of course - go for it! I just don’t often have that at home.
While the rice is cooking, in a deep frying pan, add some olive oil and gently fry the diced onion. When it’s soft and clear, add the prawns and cook them well - start adding the stock, bit by bit. Chop up all the vegetables you are using and add them in (including the frozen peas!), and add in all of the stock (I used my homemade stock for this which was just wonderful, the collagen from the chicken I used made it nice and gooey, but stock cubes work too).
Let it all simmer on low/medium heat and add in some spices like cumin, pepper and paprika.
When the rice is done, add that into the pan with the prawns and veggies, and mix everything well. As it starts really taking on a nice, sticky texture, mix in the lemon juice (add to taste) and grate over some lemon zest too, if you fancy. Serve up on plates and top with some fresh, chopped parsley.
A simple and gorgeous dinner, which works brilliantly for getting rid of some food that needs to go! I genuinely love this!
Did you try making the Poor Man’s Paella? What did you add to it? Share on Instagram and tag @TheFromScratchBody and hashtag #TheFromScratchBody so I don’t miss it!
